This book contains serious adult themes however, they are used and shown in a way that a young person would probably not understand until they were ready to. With two main characters who aren’t quite relatable, the reader can easily empathize and feel sorry for them. Rebecca and Hephzibah have two very different stories running side by side, which gives them both a huge contrast to each other as well as knowing how one story ends before it is told. I would definitely recommend this book as even though I’ve read it many times, I still can’t put it down.

What a difficult but interesting book to read. I really liked the dual perspective and the before and after timelines and how that shaped the story and what information is revealed to the reader. Was definitely a dark, hard book to read but I finished the book with a sense of hope.

This was an incredibly sad book, it started off a little slow but once it got going I found myself not wanting to put it down again.

I think what struck me as odd in this book was the fact they were twin sisters but it felt like they were strangers sometimes. Hephzibah almost seemed to not like her sister 90% of the time and pretty much used her to get what she wants. There were times reading this that I was sure that I didn't like her at all, but then something would happen and you couldn't help but understand why she was being the way she was.
I definately preferred Rebecca out of the 2 sisters though. She was overlooked for most of the book by the other characters except her father. She was the sister who got the most beatings and put herself in the line of fire as such in order to save her sister getting the beating.
The Parents really were truly evil dispicable people and it made me feel queasy reading some of this and the treatment they were subjected to.
I was cheering inside when she finally made her escape and got away and karma finally got the horrible people.

I haven't read anything from this author before but I would definately read more from her in the future. This book was written incredibly well and at times made me tear up. I enjoyed it immensely and will definately recommend it to others.

The description of this book doesn't give much away so I was unprepared for this sad, dark story. If I had known what it was about I may not have read it but I'm glad I did. Like another reviewer said this book doesn't dwell on the details of the abuse but describes enough for you to imagine. Reading this book made me sad one minute and angry the next, but through all the sadness and the darkness the sisters love for each other and their dream of one day finding freedom shines through and gives them hope.

Another 5 star read from Louisa Reid. This book is so utterly shattering that at times its really difficult to read but worth it! I think in the end I liked both twins considering I wasn't keen on Hephzi to begin with. By the end though I realised Rebecca wanted a quiet life and stayed invisible so she didn't get hurt. Whereas Hephzi wanted to live life as much as possible, she had hopes and dreams and a plan.

I found the ending to be really good and logical BUT all the way through I wanted Rebecca to go straight to someone and reveal all. I even got the inkling it could be a teacher when she was alone in college or the librarian.

This is a fantastic read and I would recommend this highly but my warning would be to be prepared for the emotional journey.

Excellent. Moving, harrowing and hard to put down. Wasn't expecting to get so wrapped up in the story. I wanted to know what happened to Hephzi and how Rebecca dealt with the Parents afterwards. Wasn't disappointed, very well-written and put together.

*feels can't be expressed*


This book left it's mark on my heart and soul. From the moment I found the book I knew it would be interesting but when I started reading it, only then did I realise that I had to prepare myself.

The topics are quite hard.. How many times did I not vent or just cry..BUT I couldn't stop reading, I was hooked.

The story followed me even in my dreams, which I actually enjoyed till a certain extent.

[... for the rest of my review go here: ]

I am proud of the main characters..I truly am. They are strong.

I guess this book is for readers like me who like psychological, realistic fiction with quite a bit of darkness.

The author also made it very easy and understandable to read so you fly through it without missing a detail.


Thank you for reading :)

so at first i didn't really want to read this book i really didn't know what it was about.
but then i read an article by the author about contemporary fiction and how YA literature is getting darker and what draws teens to read it and i was like hmm yes i agree with what she's saying

http://www.guardian.co.uk/childrens-books-site/2012/may/31/louisa-reid-dark-teen-reads

anyhew so since i'm a Sprinebreaker i got a copy and then i started reading it and i finished today and it just blew me away.
it's an incredibly disturbing books o not for the faint hearted or those who can't read about disturbing things like rape and abuse.
a lot of it is hinted and is very subtle and everything is ambiguous but t=of course towards the end she opens up and tells her story-the truth about her nightmares.
it's told from both Rebecca and Hephizibah's point of view. it goes from Rebecca (After) to Hephizibah (Before).

anyhew so this story is grim but it's gripping and it's one of those stories that just needs to be told.
i cannot stand people who think they are 'holier than thou' and yet who knows what goes on behind closed doors. also, extremists who don't practice what they preach or who shelter their kids. we don't live in the Dark Ages. you have to 'get with the times'. religion and faith is timeless so it's not meant to be harder in a modern time. but people make it hard.

i'm a firm believer but when i read about things like this it sickens me because even the 'holiest' people can be corrupt and no it's not everyone but above all being a good person is more important than anything. because you cannot believe in a God who only loves those who believe...rather a God whose mercy is more than His wrath and who loves those who do good.

so this book...read it because it's a good book...it's an eye opener and the most chilling thing about the novel is that it might seem like it's set in the 20th century but no. it's set here. in England. in the 2st century. and it makes you wonder about all those people who ream of escaping their prison. and that prison is their home. and makes you realise even more how grateful you should be for all that you have.

Happy Reading =)